Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has claimed that Manchester City made a £78m bid for Jose Gimenez during this summer's transfer window.
The Citizens are said to be determined to sign another central defender before next month's transfer deadline, despite already bringing Nathan Ake to the club from Bournemouth.
Gimenez has been strongly linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium, and Cerezo has said that Pep Guardiola's side launched a £78m offer for the Uruguay international.
"We did receive the offer," Cerezo told El Transistor. "But Gimenez is a magnificent player and we are interested in having magnificent players in the team."
City, though, have allegedly rubbished claims that the offer was submitted as they are not prepared to spend that amount on a single player this summer.
The 25-year-old, who has a contract at Wanda Metropolitano until June 2023, has made 191 appearances for Atletico over the last seven seasons.
Matt Law
